Know Your Rights

Did you know that your health plan provides benefits for mastectomy-related services? It’s required by a federal law called the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. If you are covered for a mastectomy, and elect breast reconstruction in connection with the mastectomy, then benefits are also provided for:

• reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed,
• surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, and
• prostheses and treatment of physical complications at all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphedemas (swelling that sometimes occurs after treatment for breast cancer).

Consult with your physician to determine which services are right for you. To find out more information about your insurance benefits call the member service center of your health plan. If you are a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) member, this number is on your BCBSMA ID card.